Chapter 311

The Lakers were seeking trades in the market; they needed a shooter.

They did not intend to continue working with Ron Artest; Artest could provide some defensive stops in critical moments, and he was used by the Lakers to deal with Paul Pierce and Le Bu Lang Zhang Si, those two heavy-duty forwards, but his contribution on the three-point line was inefficient, failing to space the floor. Coupled with his slow speed, D'Antoni could not tolerate a forward who crawled on the tactical end.

So the Lakers' focus was on a forward who could defend and shoot three-pointers.

The Miami Heat continued to look for a top-tier blue-collar center; when the Lakers assembled the Four Giants, and when the Clippers secured the German Tank, the sense of crisis made them forget the luxury tax red line. All top-tier strong teams in the League were confirming one fact: this was no longer an era of low investment and high return; only with high investment and high risk could one obtain high returns.

The Los Angeles Clippers' roster was essentially already very reasonable; Mike Brown said he had never fought such a wealthy war: after all, he used to work in Cleveland, and Cleveland could only ever get scraps when recruiting players.

But with Kupchak's years of experience, he felt that if they wanted to challenge for the Grand Champion, they needed to be more secure. After Dunleavy left, there was a lack of stable firepower outside the three-point line, although Steve Nash, Grant Hill, Vince Carter, Nowitzki, and even Fan Xi could shoot three-pointers.

But there still needed to be a dedicated shooter.

Fan Xi sat on the bench; Kupchak proposed in a text message to trade Billups for Anthony Morrow of the New Jersey Nets.

This sounded like a very good suggestion; Billups provided more experience to the team, and as the third point guard, he rarely played.

However, Fan Xi thought for a long time.

He refused.

He called a stop.

Perhaps this was a good trade; the Nets would get a point guard with Grand Champion experience, and the Nets would get a fairly stable three-point shooter.

However, it lost its moral standing.

Billups didn't join the Clippers for money; he was recruited by Hamilton. He came based on his trust in Fan Xi and Hamilton, and Fan Xi didn't want to make a cold business decision regarding him.

Kupchak accepted this proposal helplessly.

Then, a trade happened for the Lakers; they used Ron Artest to trade for Martell Webster from the Timberwolves. He was the sixth pick of 2005; although he didn't grow into an All-Star player in the end, and was even a distance away from being an elite player, this high school rookie was still young, and he had a 41.7% three-point shooting percentage last season.

This was a very impressive statistic; his off-ball style would bring great vitality to the Lakers.

His athletic ability was also outstanding; D'Antoni liked this kind of swingman.

Under his command, many such swingmen ushered in the highlight moments of their careers.

In addition, the Lakers also traded Luke Walton and Derek Fisher, getting Sessions and Jordan Hill from the Bucks.

This trade increased the strength of the Lakers' roster again; Sessions' ability was undoubtedly much stronger than Fisher's, and the addition of Jordan Hill would make the Lakers' interior more capable of competing with the Clippers. Most importantly, they sent away two dispensable people. Luke Walton and Fisher were old officials of the Triangle Offense System era, and coupled with the previously traded Lamar Odom, the Lakers quickly ran into the D'Antoni era.

At the same time, the Miami Heat also completed a trade; they obtained Marcus Camby from the Portland Trail Blazers.

Camby was a representative of the '96 Golden Generation; although his salary this season was as high as 11.29 million dollars, the Heat took him on because he was still an elite defensive center, and he still averaged 10.3 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game last season.

This would bring a qualitative leap to Miami.

His body had not suffered any serious injuries throughout his career, so he still had the strength to fight.

After Miami added this ten-plus million in salary, they would pay an additional ten-plus million in luxury tax.

From this, it can be seen to what extent Miami fought for the Grand Champion.

In addition, the Bulls and Spurs also made some reinforcements.

The Clippers didn't make any more trades because Fan Xi refused to trade Billups, but Kupchak signed a free agent: Gilbert Arenas.

Arenas was waived by the Orlando Magic, the team he played for last season, using the amnesty clause, and subsequently, he hadn't found a team willing to accept him, remaining in an unemployed state. Before the season started, the Los Angeles Lakers had tried out this guard who had once scored 60 points against them and considered signing him, but after the tryout, the Lakers ultimately chose to give up.

However, after Kupchak's investigation of Arenas, he believed that there might still be a little oil left in Arenas's tank.

And Arenas's desire to join the Clippers was very strong.

He signed a non-guaranteed minimum salary contract with the Clippers.

This meant the Clippers could waive him at any time without paying the full salary.

Arenas, who had earned a lot of money, didn't care about this.

Arenas was the most famous underdog in the NBA before Fan Xi's rise; he debuted as a second-round pick, quickly seized the opportunity to become an All-Star level player, and finally signed with the Wizards with a max contract at the time. The NBA capital side even changed the contract overnight for him, formulating the so-called Arenas Clause.

Arenas was selected to the All-Star team for three consecutive years from 2005-2007, and his career average to date was 21.2 points, 5.4 assists, and 4 rebounds—he was an extremely famous combo guard.

He once had a crazy scoring duel with Kobe at the Staples Center, scoring 60 points and leaving stylishly; he also once turned around and raised both hands to celebrate after shooting a three-point buzzer-beater, arrogant and domineering.

In those few years, he even surpassed Duncan, Garnett, McGrady, and Billups to become the first superstar under Adidas.

It's just a pity that he was seriously injured later and lost his explosive power... His offense relied heavily on explosive power and his freakish upper body strength.

He spent year after year in injuries, and the famous gun-gate incident also happened in between.

He became a negative character.

So much so that although he still had 10.8 points last season, he still hadn't found a job until now.

The Clippers signing this player also took on many risks. Many people thought Arenas would destroy the harmonious atmosphere of the Clippers because this guy was essentially not on the same path.

His personality was eccentric, and his style was domineering.

Because he was a superstar who rose from the bottom, he was more paranoid, more "self-centered," and more inclined to trample on rules to get things done.

Therefore, even without the media expressing opinions on this signing, the team's internal executives were already deeply evaluating it.

Fan Xi finished reading the trade information for the night, and the second half of the game had just started for 3 minutes.

Judging from the expressions of the players on the court, everyone's mood was completely different.

"Jack, we now list you as the number one hunting target, not the Miami Heat."

Kobe sat next to Fan Xi and told him without hesitation. All trades were aimed at you.

Fan Xi felt the purpose behind these trades.

The strength of the Clippers and the Lakers was not far apart; under normal circumstances, the Lakers led by a little bit, but Fan Xi always had the ability to turn normal circumstances into abnormal ones. Therefore, the Lakers improved their strength by another notch through these two trades, and the roster was more targeted at the Clippers.

Fan Xi didn't say anything; this was an invisible pressure.

Subsequently, D'Antoni called Fan Xi's name, letting him go up to replace Chris Paul.

When Fan Xi went on the court, his teammates were Westbrook, Kevin Durant, Blake Griffin, and Kevin Love.

On the Eastern side were Deron Williams, Dwyane Wade, Le Bu Lang Zhang Si, Chris Bosh, and Stoudemire.

At this time, the East led the West by 2 points.

When Fan Xi went on the court, the Amway Center suddenly erupted in loud shouts of "MVP"; this was the first time since the start of the game that fans had spontaneously shouted MVP.

Not only was Fan Xi surprised, but other players also looked at Fan Xi with complicated emotions.

Fan Xi soon understood why the Magic fans would call him that. Because they regarded him as the hero who sank Howard.

In the minds of Magic fans, Fan Xi being able to make Howard lose face twice was already a great hero.

The same thought was also deeply rooted in the hearts of Cleveland fans. They pinned their revenge on the former hero of their team on Fan Xi.

Fan Xi had, to some extent, become the Judge Bao who sought justice for them.

Fan Xi was slightly embarrassed as he walked onto the court.

Deron Williams came up to meet him.

Deron was the star of the Nets; although his ability to lead the team was terrible, he still got an All-Star spot in the weak East.

He and Fan Xi had "deep hatred"; when Fan Xi first emerged, Deron always wanted to stifle Fan Xi, treating him as a soft persimmon. However, the final result was also seen: Fan Xi stepped on his head to make a name for himself.

Nowadays, Fan Xi's status and strength in the League were significantly higher than Deron's.

But Deron was unconvinced.

He felt he still had a chance to turn the tables against the wind.

"Do you dare to go one-on-one with me?" Deron said to Fan Xi aggressively.

Fan Xi frowned and looked at Deron; Deron was still as strong and tall as he was back then. However, in Fan Xi's heart, there was no longer the tension he felt when facing him back then.

He was very calm and said: "Okay."

Just like a superior agreeing to a subordinate's application document.

This indifferent tone deepened Deron's resentment.

He opened his arms, and his defensive intensity increased sharply.

Fan Xi was still calm and relaxed; he made easy changes of direction in front of Deron Williams, the basketball moving nimbly between his legs.

Deron Williams couldn't hide his nervousness; he couldn't capture Fan Xi's movement trajectory, finding Fan Xi unfathomable and unpredictable.

Sss!

Suddenly, Fan Xi took a sharp step to the right... this step was directly beyond Deron's expectations, because according to statistics, 68% of Fan Xi's breakthroughs started with a step to the left.

However, people ignored that Fan Xi was a super powerhouse who could shoot with both hands and attack from both sides.

Fan Xi took a rapid step from the right, and the little fatty Deron could only passively follow... his body had suffered a major injury, his true level didn't even reach the All-Star level, and he followed very reluctantly.

Fan Xi felt it was boring.

He stopped suddenly, and the moment Deron's body approached, he turned suddenly... Whoosh!

Fan Xi whistled away like lightning.

The difference was immediately clear.

After the serious injury, Deron Williams lost his explosive power; he was no longer Fan Xi's opponent.

The most important power talent he used to suppress Fan Xi before no longer had an advantage in front of Fan Xi.

After Fan Xi passed Deron Williams, he went straight into the paint.

Normally, no one would help defend.

But when Fan Xi jumped from the air for a direct dunk, Chris Bosh suddenly killed from the side; he ambushed from the air, arriving late... Fan Xi, without any protection, immediately fell into a passive position.

This ambush was very insidious; Fan Xi had almost no room to escape.

But in the blink of an eye, Fan Xi's mind raced; he rapidly made a layup adjustment, his body nimbly dodging Chris Bosh's sure-fire block in the air.

And he transferred the basketball from his right hand to his left, incomparably light, instantly bypassing Bosh's defense to reach the rim; Fan Xi gently flicked it up with his left hand... Swish!

The basketball fell into the net.

The Amway Center exploded; the sound wave was like a nuclear bomb being detonated.

This ball was too perfect, from the clean back-turn to pass Deron Williams, to the nimble and elegant layup made at the critical moment of being ambushed in the air, to the light-as-a-feather hand switch to flick the basketball into the rim.

This ball had the spirit of Michael Jordan's hand-switching layup back then.

However, even if Michael Jordan were standing here, he would have to admit that Fan Xi's ball was more advanced.

Not to mention how exquisite Fan Xi's breakthrough passing Deron was.

Just the fact that Fan Xi could make such a decision instantly under Chris Bosh's threatening aerial attack was a cut above Jordan... because Jordan's phenomenal goal was him actively showing his waist and abdominal hang-time ability.

Fan Xi, however, was passive.

The difference between an exercise and a real battle.

Amidst the cheers of the audience, Fan Xi looked coldly at Chris Bosh after landing.

Although Chris Bosh was an old senior and a leader of the 2003 Super Platinum Generation, at this moment, there was an uncontrollable panic in his heart.

He felt he was being watched by a hunter.

Fan Xi's attitude was very clear: I didn't want to give you a hard time, but if you play dirty, then let's go blade to blade, sword to sword, and see the truth on the court.

Fan Xi walked calmly to the frontcourt.

But at this time, Blake Griffin had already felt the anger of his former boss; he said to Fan Xi while defending: Jack, are we really going to fight?

Fan Xi didn't answer, let's see how the situation develops.

Afterward, Deron Williams brought the basketball to the frontcourt.

He took the initiative to pull away and play one-on-one with Fan Xi.

However, his few signature lateral swings couldn't shake Fan Xi off... his explosive power was really gone, which made his breakthrough difficult. And he didn't have enough confidence to use power to directly crush Fan Xi.

So, he played a pick-and-roll with Stoudemire.

Then, he rushed into the free-throw line; the Western team's defense was very loose.

He jumped up and played a trick in the air, passing the basketball to Chris Bosh; Bosh received the basketball, immediately jumped up with both hands holding the ball, and smashed it toward the rim.

But just as he jumped to the highest point, a biting wind came from behind, and then he felt a shadow covering him from the top of his head... Boom!

His ears roared.

Instantly, he felt his hands holding the ball being pressed directly onto the backboard by someone from above his head; he slid down passively.

The basketball was retrieved from the air by those big hands.

A two-handed pin-down block!

The cheers of the Amway Center roared violently again. MVP! MVP! MVP!

The sound waves came one after another.

Fan Xi became the most eye-catching focus of the whole arena with this offense and defense, the most shining superstar in the All-Star Game.

But for Fan Xi, this was just a drink and a peck, a cycle of cause and effect.

Chris Bosh wanted to ambush him, so if he suffered this humiliation, it was only fair.

Fan Xi originally wanted to stop at the right point.

But on his way back to the half-court, Wade walked up and said loudly to Fan Xi: "Jack, are you preparing to start a war with us here?"

Fan Xi looked at Wade.

He didn't tell Wade any ins and outs; justice is in the hearts of the people, it was clear who ambushed first, he was just returning the favor, and you couldn't take it—who started it first? What an arrogant person. Did you really think you had me, Fan Xi, figured out?

"If I want to beat you, I'll beat you; does it need to be divided by time and occasion?"

Fan Xi retorted arrogantly.

…